Protests in Lebanon as cabinet sets to discuss austerity budget

Retired Lebanese army and security personnel on Tuesday staged sit-ins and blocked roads in Beirut as the cabinet was set to discuss an austerity budget proposing cuts to end-of-service benefits for state employees and the army.

The demonstrators blocked entrances to Lebanon’s central bank and the country’s main seaport and warned of further escalation that would target all areas leading to government institutions

“We will not accept any cuts to the end-of-service benefits for army personnel or state employees,’’ the protesters shouted as they sealed off roads outside the Lebanese finance ministry.

A cabinet meeting headed by Lebanese President Michel Aoun was set to discuss “austere’’ budget measures to cut the state deficit.

Rtd. Brig.-Gen. George Nader called on the Lebanese government to stop wasting public funds and stop “embezzlement and corruption among the high-ranking officials,” before discussing taking money from state employees.

Lebanon’s ailing economy has one of the biggest public debt ratios in the world, equivalent to about 150 per cent of gross domestic product.

Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri sounded the alarm earlier this month on the economic situation in the country.

“The economic situation in the country is dangerous. We must find a way to reduce the public deficit, otherwise Lebanon will face negative consequences,’’ Berri said.